Update: The church held its final service on September 3, 2017. However, there are now renovations occurring as of the fall of 2020 and it will reopen with a new pastor.
Emmaus Lutheran has a typical Romanesque Revival building for St. Louis–the ornament is Romanesque, but the massing of the church is really much more Gothic.
It is a beautiful church, and still holding on at the corner of South Jefferson and Armand Place.
Indeed a beautiful church – quick look at the website, sad to report – Emmaus held a final Divine Service on September 3, 2017
And Chris thank you so much for the time, effort, energy you put into the blog – I look forward to it everyday.
Oh no! I didn’t notice that. So sad to hear there is now another abandoned neighborhood landmark.
It will be being maintained by local Lutheran Congregations, and hopefully reopened in a few years. No need to worry about the building falling into disrepair.
That’s great news! I was happy when the old school was converted into a charter school, keeping that building occupied, as well.
i went to the school when it was still emmaus had my first communion in that church and my first confirmation there. had many friends , wonderful teachers, and pastors, i have many precious memories i made over the yrs there! sad when the school closed yrs ago and now the church . i passed it so many times and wondered about it. when i went there they still had 2 services german and english. i have always wondered what happened to classmates of mine from yrs ago. that church showed what way to live and not live it set jesus in my heart to this day for that i will always be grateful. my home life was not the best this church and school gave me a safe place to learn and love
I was born in 1955 & also attended Emmaus School from 1960-1963 (K-2), also at the same time of German/English services. I lived right around the corner, on Armand, so it was a short walk several of my playmates even spoke only German. Our family moved to Quincy, IL in 1963 & have lived there since… Good old days, with corner candy stores & Cardinal baseball.
I went to emmaus church and school on and off from the mid sixties to the early seventies. The pastor was reverend Wilson in the sixties then when I came back from Illinois reverend gross was there whom I didn’t like but I will pray for him in his misguided ideas. Mr.obermann was the school principal and I will never forget mr.sheaver. I met a lot of good people and I miss a lot of them. It’s a shame that it’s shut down but I guess progress is more important.
went to 8th grade there, played basketball ,softball , an even track at that small school, it was good times, met nice kids , miss those times
I grew up, confirmed, first Baptism.
It a true sham the church was let to close, by the Mo. Synod.
I’m very sorry.
So many memories!
I went to Emmaus Lutheran School from 1962 to 1967 when I graduates 8th grade. Mr Olbermann was principal and Pastor Wilson the Pastor. I was confirmed and baptized on 7 May 1967.
Who is controlling the records for the Church and school? I need to get a copy of my baptismal record. I was baptized the day of confirmation on May 7 1967 by Pastor Wilson. Can anyone help?
The St. Louis Genealogical Society has information about their records. You can learn about them here:
https://stlgs.org/research-2/congregations/lutheran/lutheran-churches/emmaus-lutheran-church
My grandfather was pastor of Emmaus for many years, Rev Richard Torgler. I have many good memories of the church. I was not a regular student at the school, but attended when visiting my grandparents. Grandpa was the pastor there until his death in 1959. It is a truly beautiful building.
My parents were married at Emmaus in 1955. I attended Emmaus School from Kindergarten through 8th grade & graduated 8th grade in 1970. I was also confirmed there in 1970. I was baptized in a German service in 1956, one sister was baptized in a German service in 1958 & the youngest sister was baptized in a German service in 1966. My great-grandmother never learned English and went to the German services there as long as she could. I hope the building will be kept up.
It looks like work is being done on the church building. Will it be opening soon?
We’re still working on figuring that out.
We moved the neighborhood in June 2020 and i am so hopeful that this beautiful Lutheran church will come alive again with a pastor and future congregation… are there any plans to open the church any time in the near future? Just such a shame that it just sits there abandoned… i saw a crew putting up copper guttering and some new roofing several months ago.. surely there must be some sort of plan with all that expense put into the building
Good question–I’ve been trying to figure out.
I have wonderful memories of Emmaus. I was baptized and confirmed there. I attended from Kindergarten and graduated from 8th grade at Emmaus in May of 1967. As I was singing in choir this morning I was reminded of trying out for choir with Mr. Lange and I have been in choirs ever since.
My grandmother Lorene Krah was married in this church in 1934. She also went to Emmaus Lutheran School through 8th grade.